Returned zodiac sculpture displayed in Beijing

Recently two bronze sculptures depicting the heads of a rat and a rabbit are on display at the National Museum of China as part of a permanent exhibition The Road of Rejuvenation.

The two heads were returned to China in June after around 150 years outside the country. The heads were originally part of a set of 12 Chinese zodiac sculptures from a water-clock fountain in Yuanmingyuan (the Old Summer Palace). They were designed by an Italian missionary and artist in the Qing court, whose name is Lang Shining (also known as Giuseppe Castiglione).